So theoretically, you can enjoy Soldado without even watching Sicario, which is great for people new to the world of Alejandro and Graver.
Still, this isn’t the first time that the film has been distanced from Sicario, as director Stefano Solima had previously mentioned that this film is a pure stand-alone.
On the bright side, the described approach to Soldado perfectly explains how Emily Blunt’s character is not only absent from the film, but isn’t really required at all.
However, this does leave an interesting angle of enjoyment for those who caught the previous film: it challenges them to make it fit into a wider narrative arc.